Scanning and selecting an antenna beam provided in fixed wireless customer premises equipment

ABSTRACT

An outdoor broadband unit receives a current time, a short term maintenance mode time period, and a long term maintenance mode time period from a remote network device. The outdoor broadband unit determines a mode associated with selection of an antenna beam, provided on an antenna of the outdoor broadband unit, based on at least one of the current time, the short term maintenance mode time period, and the long term maintenance mode time period. The outdoor broadband unit selects an antenna beam to use based on the determined mode.

BACKGROUND

Bundled media services, such as combination packages of television,telephone, and broadband Internet services, have been successfullyoffered to households with wired connections to service providernetworks. Households in areas without such wired connections (e.g.,customers in regions that cannot be reached via conventionalcommunication media, such as optical cables, copper cables, and/or otherfixed wire-based technologies) may rely on fixed wireless networks forsome of these services (e.g., broadband access). However, previousgenerations of fixed wireless networks have generally been unsuccessful.Expensive network equipment and customer premises equipment (CPE), highCPE installation costs, use of proprietary technology, and low datarates are among some of the reasons that these fixed wireless networksremained unpopular. As wireless network data rates improve using fourthgeneration (4G) technologies, such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE), suchnetwork data rates have made it easier to implement fixed wirelessnetworks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example environment in which systems and/ormethods described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example customer premises network illustratedin FIG. 1 according to an implementation described herein;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example components of a combined gateway of thecustomer premises network depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of example components of a device that maycorrespond to one of the devices of FIG. 1 or 2;

FIGS. 5A-5D are diagrams of example operations capable of beingperformed by an outdoor broadband unit depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of example operations capable of being performed byan example portion of the environment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of example functional components of a LTE module ofthe outdoor broadband unit;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example process for scanning and selectingan antenna beam provided in a fixed wireless CPE according to animplementation described herein; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an example process for providing configurationparameters to a fixed wireless CPE to enable antenna beam scanning andselecting according to an implementation described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements.

Systems and/or methods described herein may provide configurationparameters that enable antenna beam scanning and selecting, to customerpremises equipment (CPE) wireless architecture that includes combinedgateway equipment. The combined gateway equipment may include satelliteand radio frequency (RF) antennas that are installed at a customerpremises. The RF antenna may be provided in an outdoor broadband unitthat includes a LTE module capable of communicating with a wirelessnetwork. The outdoor broadband unit may also include a broadband homerouter (BHR) capable of communicating with a customer premises network.

The RF antenna may include several antenna elements that can be usedindividually or combined to synthesize several overlapping antenna beamsspanning three-hundred and sixty (360) degrees in azimuth. In oneimplementation, the RF antenna may include a wideband multiple beamantenna, with partially overlapping antenna beams, spanningthree-hundred and sixty (360) degrees in azimuth (x-y plane). Forexample, the RF antenna may include between four and eight beams toachieve desirable antenna gains and reduction of interference.Additionally, or alternatively, the RF antenna may employ twopolarizations per beam for 2×2 downlink multiple-input andmultiple-output (MIMO) operation. In another implementation, the RFantenna may include a fixed dually-polarized directional antenna. As adirectional antenna, the RF antenna may use polarizations matched to thepolarizations of a particular base station. For example, a polarizationof the RF antenna may match a polarization of a serving enhanced Node B(eNB) or base station. Antenna pointing for the directional antenna maybe conducted, for example, during installation of the outdoor broadbandunit.

In one example implementation, the outdoor broadband unit may operate inseveral modes, such as an installation mode, a power on/off mode, ashort term maintenance mode, and a long term maintenance mode. Forexample, the outdoor broadband unit may be in the installation modeafter an installer installs the outdoor broadband unit at the customerpremises. During the installation mode, the outdoor broadband unit mayscan beams of the RF antenna, and may select a best or optimal RFantenna beam based on the scan and based on the RF signals received bythe RF antenna beams.

In another example, the outdoor broadband unit may be in the poweron/off mode when the outdoor broadband unit is powered off and poweredon (i.e., power cycled). The outdoor broadband unit may enter the poweron/off mode when recovering from a power outage. During the power on/offmode, rather than scanning the RF antenna beams, the outdoor broadbandunit may select a RF antenna beam that was last used by the outdoorbroadband unit before the outdoor broadband unit was powered off. Afterentering the power on/off mode, the outdoor broadband unit maytransition to a long term maintenance mode, described below.

In still another example, the outdoor broadband unit may enter the shortterm maintenance mode after a particular time period (e.g., a number ofhours). In the short term maintenance mode, the outdoor broadband unitmay rescan the RF antenna beams, and may select a best RF antenna beambased on the rescan and based on the RF signals received by the RFantenna beams. The outdoor broadband unit may perform this rescan of theRF antenna beams without losing a connection with a wireless network(e.g., a LTE network). In another words, the rescan may be performedwhile the wireless network is actively communicating with the outdoorbroadband unit.

In a further example, the outdoor broadband unit may enter the long termmaintenance mode after a particular time period (e.g., a number ofdays). In the long term maintenance mode, the outdoor broadband unit mayrescan the RF antenna beams, and may select a best RF antenna beam basedon the rescan and based on the RF signals received by the RF antennabeams. During the long term maintenance mode, the outdoor broadband unitmay reselect a serving base station(s) or may execute handoffs based onprevailing RF channel conditions. In one example, the outdoor broadbandunit may select a different serving cell (e.g., a base station) based onthe long term maintenance mode rescan.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example environment 100 in which systemsand/or methods described herein may be implemented. As illustrated,environment 100 may include a customer premises network 110, combinedgateway equipment 115, a base station 120, a network 130, a serviceprovider 140, a device manager 145, and a satellite network 150. Asingle customer premises network 110, base station 120, network 130,service provider 140, device manager 145, and satellite network 150 havebeen illustrated in FIG. 1 for simplicity. In practice, there may bemore customer premises networks 110, combined gateways 115, basestations 120, networks 130, service providers 140, device managers 145,and/or satellite networks 150.

Customer premises network 110 may include one or more devices connectedto each other, base station 120, and/or satellite network 150. Devicesin customer premises network 110 may include, for example, set-top boxes(STBs), televisions, computers, and home networking equipment (e.g.,routers, cables, splitters, local gateways, etc.). Devices withincustomer premises network 110 may be connected via wired (e.g., coaxialcable, Telecommunications Industry Association category 5 (“cat 5”)cable, etc.) or wireless connections (e.g., using network devices suchas those available under the IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN standards) to forma LAN. In the example shown in FIG. 1, customer premises network 110 mayconnect to base station 120 through a two-way wireless connection, suchas using a LTE band frequency, and may connect to satellite network 150through a one-way (e.g., downlink) wireless connection, such as using asatellite television (TV) band frequency. The two-way wirelessconnection and the one-way wireless connection may be implemented usingcombined gateway equipment 115.

Combined gateway equipment 115, which is described in more detail below,may generally include mechanisms for communicating with satellitenetwork 150 (to provide satellite-based communications) and forcommunicating with base station 120 (to provide RF-basedcommunications). Combined gateway equipment 115 may connect, such as viaa coaxial connection, to devices inside of the customer premises, suchas the devices connected to customer premises network 110.

Base station 120 may include one or more computation and/orcommunication devices that receive voice and/or data (e.g., videocontent) from service provider 140 (e.g., via network 130) and transmitthat voice and/or data to customer premises network 110. Base station120 may also include one or more devices that receive voice and/or datafrom customer premises network 110 and transmit that voice and/or datato service provider 140 (e.g., via network 130). In one exampleimplementation, base station 120 may utilize LTE standards operating ina 700 megahertz (MHz) frequency band.

Network 130 may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a telephone network, such asthe Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an intranet, the Internet,an optical fiber (or fiber optic)-based network, a cable televisionnetwork, a satellite television network, or a combination of networks.In one example implementation, network 130 may include core networkequipment, such as a packet data network (PDN) gateway (PGW), a servinggateway (SGW), a mobility management entity (MME), etc.

Service provider 140 may include one or more server devices, or othertypes of computation or communication devices, that gather, process,search, and/or provide information in a manner described herein. In oneimplementation, service provider 140 may include a web server, acomputer system, an application, a cable head-end, and/or a broadcastingdevice capable of providing Internet protocol (IP)-based content and/orservices to devices in customer premises network 110.

Device manager 145 may include one or more server devices, or othertypes of computation or communication devices, that gather, process,search, and/or provide information in a manner described herein. In oneimplementation, device manager 145 may manage the operation of anoutdoor broadband unit of combined gateway equipment 115. For example,device manager 145 may maintain data regarding the operation of theoutdoor broadband unit, generate one or more reports based on themaintained data, and provide the generated reports to one or moredevices, such as a user device in customer premises network 110.

In addition, device manager 145 may maintain configuration informationfor the outdoor broadband unit and provide the configuration informationto the outdoor broadband unit. For example, the outdoor broadband unitmay enter different modes (e.g., the installation mode, the short termmaintenance mode, and/or the long term maintenance mode) depending on aparticular time period. Thus, in one example implementation, devicemanager 145 may provide a current time to the outdoor broadband unit sothat the outdoor broadband unit, which may use the current time todetermine whether a particular time is occurring. In another exampleimplementation, device manager 145 may provide a short term maintenancemode time period or interval (e.g., in a number of hours) to the outdoorbroadband unit so that the outdoor broadband unit may know when to enterthe short term maintenance mode. In still another exampleimplementation, device manager 145 may provide a long term maintenancemode time period or interval (e.g., in a number of days) to the outdoorbroadband unit so that the outdoor broadband unit may know when to enterthe long term maintenance mode.

Device manager 145 may obtain information from the outdoor broadbandunit at other times. For example, device manager 145 may obtaininformation from the outdoor broadband unit upon the outdoor broadbandunit being reset. The information may include logs from the outdoorbroadband unit indicating, for example, the configuration of the outdoorbroadband unit and/or other types of information prior to the outdoorbroadband unit being reset. Device manager 145 may connect to network130 via wired and/or wireless connections.

Satellite network 150 may provide multimedia content from, for example,a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service provider (not shown).Satellite network 150 may provide a downlink signal over a designatedsatellite TV band frequency, typically in the range of 950 MHz to 2150MHz. The downlink signal may be received using a satelliteantenna/receiver system at the customer premises to present satellite TVcontent to a user.

In implementations described herein, customer premises network 110 maycombine LTE functionality with satellite TV service. Using combinedgateway equipment 115, which includes an outdoor LTE module, bothbroadband (over LTE) service (e.g., via base station 120) and satelliteTV service (e.g., via satellite network 150) may be brought intocustomer premises network 110 over a single coaxial line. Thisarchitecture may reduce equipment installation time due to the use of asingle coaxial line for all the services. Both installation costs andrecurrent operational costs can be reduced.

While implementations herein are described primarily in the context ofbroadband services via LTE, other wireless protocols may be used. Forexample, components conforming to LTE standards described herein may bereplaced by components conforming to other network protocols, such as,for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), widebandcode division multiple access (WCDMA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB),Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code DivisionMultiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), etc.

Although FIG. 1 shows example components of environment 100, in otherimplementations, environment 100 may contain fewer components, differentcomponents, differently arranged components, and/or additionalcomponents than those depicted in FIG. 1. Alternatively, oradditionally, one or more components of environment 100 may perform oneor more other tasks described as being performed by one or more othercomponents of environment 100.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example customer premises network 110according to an implementation described herein. As illustrated,combined gateway equipment 115 of customer premises network 110 mayinclude an outdoor broadband unit 200 and a satellite antenna 202. Acoaxial cable 204 may connect combined gateway equipment 115 to theindoor portion of customer premises network 110. Customer premisesnetwork 110 may further include coaxial splitters 210-1 and 210-2(referred to herein collectively as “coaxial splitters 210” orgenerically as “coaxial splitter 210”), a power injector 220, set-topboxes (STBs) 230-1 and 230-2 (referred to herein collectively as “STBs230” or generically as “STB 230”), televisions 240-1 and 240-2 (referredto herein collectively as “televisions 240”), a coax/Cat 5 converter250, a local router 260, and user devices 270-1 and 270-2 (referred toherein collectively as “user devices 270” or generically as “user device270”). One outdoor broadband unit 200, two coaxial splitters 210, onepower injector 220, two STBs 230, two televisions 240, one coax/Cat 5converter 250, one local router 260, and two user devices 270 have beenillustrated in FIG. 2 for simplicity. In practice, there may be more (orfewer) outdoor broadband units 200, satellite antennas 202, coaxialsplitters 210, power injectors 220, STBs 230, televisions 240, coax/Cat5 converters 250, local routers 260, and/or user devices 270.

Outdoor broadband unit 200 may include one or more data processingand/or data transfer devices, such as a gateway, a router, a modem, aswitch, a firewall, a network interface card (NIC), a hub, a bridge, aproxy server, an optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM), or some other typeof device that processes and/or transfers data. In one example, outdoorbroadband unit 200 may include a wireless gateway that provides aconvergence point between wireless protocols (e.g., associated with basestation 120) and IP protocols (e.g., associated with user devices 270).Outdoor broadband unit 200 may be physically deployed with satelliteantenna 202 (e.g., on a roof or a side wall of a house associated withcustomer premises network 110) as part of combined gateway 115. Forexample, outdoor broadband unit 200 may utilize a pre-existing or a newsatellite TV installation in a way that both broadband (over LTE)service and satellite TV are brought indoors (e.g., inside the customerpremises) over a coaxial cable 204. Outdoor broadband unit 200 isdiscussed further in connection with, for example, FIGS. 3 and 5.

Satellite antenna 202 may provide an interface for television servicebroadcast from satellites. In one implementation, satellite antenna 202may provide an entry point for a network (e.g., customer premisesnetwork 110) that conforms to standards of the Multimedia over CoaxAlliance (MoCA). Generally, MoCA-compliant devices may be used toimplement a home network on existing coaxial cable, using, for example,orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation thatdivides data into several parallel data streams or logical channels.Channel stacking technology, such as Single Wire Multiswitch (SWiM)technology, may be used to allocate logical channels using frequencyblocks for user-selected programming to the SWiM compatible devices(e.g., STBs 230). Satellite antenna 202 may communicate with STB 230 toidentify which blocks of channels can be used to send television signalsto that particular STB 230.

Coaxial splitters 210 may include conventional splitting technologies tofilter LTE and satellite TV signals. In one implementation, each coaxialsplitter 210 may include a SWiM splitter.

Power injector 220 may include a mechanism for injecting direct current(DC) power in a coaxial cable to power remotely-located devices, such asoutdoor broadband unit 200. Use of power injector 220 may allowcomponents of outdoor broadband unit 200 to be powered via a coaxialcable (e.g., coaxial cable 204) and eliminate the need for additionalwiring.

STB 230 may include a device that receives and/or processes videocontent (e.g., from a satellite TV provider via satellite antenna 202),and provides the video content to television 240 or another device. STB230 may also include decoding and/or decryption capabilities and mayfurther include a digital video recorder (DVR) (e.g., a hard drive). Inone example implementation, STB 230 may be incorporated directly withintelevision 240. In another implementation, STB 230 and/or television 240may be replaced with a computing device (e.g., a personal computer, alaptop computer, a tablet computer, etc.), a cable card, a TV tunercard, or a portable communication device (e.g., a mobile telephone or apersonal digital assistant (PDA)). In one implementation, STB 230 mayconform to MoCA and SWiM standards.

Television 240 may include a television monitor that is capable ofdisplaying video content, television programming, content provided bySTB 230, and/or content provided by other devices (e.g., a digital videodisk (DVD) player, a video camera, etc., not shown) connected totelevision 240. Coax-to-Cat 5 converter 250 may include a conventionaldevice to convert incoming signals from coaxial cables to outgoingsignals on Cat 5 cables. In one example, STB 230 and coax-to-Cat 5converter 250 may facilitate allocating logical channels using differentfrequency blocks for viewer-selected television programming andbroadband signals.

Local router 260 may include a device that may provide connectivitybetween equipment within customer premises (e.g., user devices 270) andbetween the customer premises equipment and an external network (e.g.,network 130). In one implementation, local router 260 may include awireless access point that employs one or more short-range wirelesscommunication protocols for a wireless personal area network (WPAN)and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as, for example, IEEE802.15 (e.g., Bluetooth) and IEEE 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi). In otherimplementations, different short-range wireless protocols and/orfrequencies may be used. Local router 260 may also include one or morewired (e.g., Ethernet) connections. In one implementation, local router260 may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Ethernet Router that iscapable of meeting LTE quality of service (QoS) standards.

User device 270 may include any device that is capable of communicatingwith customer premises network 110 via local router 260. For example,user device 270 may include a mobile computation and/or communicationdevice, such as a laptop computer, a radiotelephone, a personalcommunications system (PCS) terminal (e.g., that may combine a cellularradiotelephone with data processing and data communicationscapabilities), a PDA (e.g., that can include a radiotelephone, a pager,Internet/intranet access, etc.), a wireless device, a tablet computer, asmart phone, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a contentrecording device (e.g., a camera, a video camera, etc.), etc. In anotherexample, user device 270 may include a fixed (e.g., provided in aparticular location, such as within a customer's home) computationand/or communication device, such as a laptop computer, a personalcomputer, a gaming system, etc.

Although FIG. 2 shows example components of customer premises network110, in other implementations, customer premises network 110 may containfewer components, different components, differently arranged components,and/or additional components than those depicted in FIG. 2.Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of customerpremises network 110 may perform one or more other tasks described asbeing performed by one or more other components of customer premisesnetwork 110.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example components of combined gateway equipment115 of customer premises network 110. As illustrated, combined gatewayequipment 115 may include outdoor broadband unit 200 and satelliteantenna 202. Outdoor broadband unit 200 and satellite antenna 202 myinclude features described above in connection with, for example, FIGS.1 and 2. Outdoor broadband unit 200 may include a radio frequency (RF)antenna 310, a LTE module 320, and a broadband home router (BHR) 330,all housed in a radome 340. In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 3,outdoor broadband unit 200 may be mounted on an extension arm 350connected to a structure (e.g., an arm or a pole) supporting satelliteantenna 202.

RF antenna 310 may include an antenna to transmit and/or receive RFsignals over the air. RF antenna 310 may, for example, receive RFsignals from LTE module 320/BHR 330 and transmit the RF signals over theair. Also, RF antenna 310 may, for example, receive RF signals over theair and provide them to LTE module 320/BHR 330. In one implementation,for example, LTE module 320/BHR 330 may communicate with a base station(e.g., base station 120) connected to a network (e.g., network 130) tosend and/or receive signals from user devices 270. In implementationsherein, RF antenna 310 may be enclosed by radome 340, integrated withradome 340, or external to radome 340. While one RF antenna 310 is shownin FIG. 3, outdoor broadband unit 200 may include more than one antennain other implementations.

In one implementation, RF antenna 310 may include a wideband multiplebeam antenna, with partially overlapping antenna beams, spanningthree-hundred and sixty (360) degrees in azimuth (x-y plane). Forexample, antenna 310 may include between four and eight beams to achievedesirable antenna gains and reduction of interference. Additionally, oralternatively, RF antenna 310 may employ two polarizations per beam for2×2 downlink multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) operation. Inanother example, RF antenna 310 may employ slant ±45° polarization orvertical/horizontal polarization.

In another implementation, RF antenna 310 may include a fixeddually-polarized directional antenna. As a directional antenna, RFantenna 310 may use polarizations matched to the polarizations of aparticular base station (e.g., base station 120). For example, apolarization of RF antenna 310 may match a polarization of a servingenhanced Node B (eNB) or base station (e.g., base station 120). Antennapointing for the directional antenna may be conducted, for example,during installation of outdoor broadband unit 200.

LTE module 320 may include a device (e.g., a modem) with communicationcapability via an air interface. For example, LTE module 320 may receivebroadband signals and/or voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) signalsfrom base station 120 (e.g., via RF antenna 310) and may transmitbroadband signals and/or VoIP signals to base station 120 (e.g., via RFantenna 310). LTE module 320 may employ frequency division duplex (FDD)and/or time division duplex (TDD) techniques to facilitate downlink anduplink transmissions. In one implementation, LTE module 320 may includea beam selection mechanism that selects the best antenna beam, from RFantenna 310, according to a certain optimization criteria. Beamselection may be performed, for example, during initial installationand/or regular maintenance of outdoor broadband unit 200. Additionally,or alternatively, LTE module 320 may select any of the RF antenna 310beams, based on real-time measurements, during normal operation.

BHR 330 may include a device for buffering and forwarding data packetstoward destinations. For example, BHR 330 may receive data packets frombase station 120 (e.g., via LTE module 320) and may forward the datapackets toward user devices 270. In addition, BHR 330 may receive datapackets from user devices 270 (e.g., via local router 260) and mayforward the data packets toward recipient devices (e.g., serviceprovider 140) via network 130.

In one example implementation, BHR 330 may be associated with a coaxialnetwork controller (not shown) that provides an interface for Ethernetover coaxial signals, such as signals transmitted over coaxial cable 204and into customer premises network 110. The coaxial network controllermay act as a bridge device to receive signals from LTE module 320 via awired USB connection and to convert the signals to an Ethernet over coaxsignal. The Ethernet over coax signal may be assigned a logical channel(e.g., according to SWiM guidelines) and may be combined with coaxialinput from satellite antenna 202. In one implementation, the output fromcoaxial network controller may be inserted in a Mid-RF MoCA channel thatis separate from the 950 MHz to 2150 MHz range of a typical satellite TVsystem.

Radome 340 (shown with a cut-away view to reveal LTE module 320 and BHR330) may provide a weatherproof enclosure to protect RF antenna 310, LTEmodule 320, BHR 330, and/or other components of outdoor broadband unit200. Generally, radome 340 may include any RF transparent orsubstantially RF transparent structure (e.g., a cover) that protectscomponents in an outdoor environment.

As further shown in FIG. 3, a communication cable 360 (e.g., a coaxialcable) may connect outdoor broadband unit 200 to an interface component370 of satellite antenna 202 that receives transmissions received bysatellite antenna 202. The transmissions received by satellite antenna202 may be provided to outdoor broadband unit 200 via communicationcable 360 and interface component 370. Outdoor broadband unit 200 mayreceive the satellite transmissions and may receive RF signals via RFantenna 310. Outdoor broadband unit 200 may utilize a communicationcable (e.g., coaxial cable 204) to provide the received satellitetransmissions and the received RF signals to the indoor portion ofcustomer premises network 110.

Combined gateway equipment 115 may be integrated with the SWiMenvironment associated with satellite antenna 202 to provide both TVservice and broadband wireless service. With this architecture, combinedgateway equipment 115 may require only one coax line leading fromoutdoor broadband unit 200/satellite antenna 202. This single coaxialline (e.g., coax cable 204) may feed the in-home coaxial installation todeliver satellite TV service and LTE service to corresponding STBs 230and user devices 270 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). Components of outdoorbroadband unit 200, such as RF antenna 310, LTE module 320, and BHR 330,may be powered using coax cable 204.

Although FIG. 3 shows example components of combined gateway equipment115, in other implementations, combined gateway equipment 115 maycontain fewer components, different components, differently arrangedcomponents, and/or additional components than depicted in FIG. 3.Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of combinedgateway equipment 115 may perform one or more other tasks described asbeing performed by one or more other components of combined gatewayequipment 115. In one alternative implementation, one or more functionsof combined gateway equipment 115 may be moved to another location, suchas internal to the customer premises. For example, a bridge may beinstalled in combined gateway equipment 115 instead of BHR 330. Thebridge may function to combine coaxial input from satellite antenna 202with the output from LTE module 320 into a single coax line, which maybe forwarded to a broadband router that is installed inside the customerpremises.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of example components of a device 400 that maycorrespond to one of the devices of environment 100 and/or customerpremises network 110 (e.g., LTE module 320 and/or BHR 330). Asillustrated, device 400 may include a bus 410, a processing unit 420, amemory 430, an input device 440, an output device 450, and acommunication interface 460.

Bus 410 may permit communication among the components of device 400.Processing unit 420 may include one or more processors ormicroprocessors that interpret and execute instructions. In otherimplementations, processing unit 420 may be implemented as or includeone or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), or the like.

Memory 430 may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type ofdynamic storage device that stores information and instructions forexecution by processing unit 420, a read only memory (ROM) or anothertype of static storage device that stores static information andinstructions for the processing unit 420, and/or some other type ofmagnetic or optical recording medium and its corresponding drive forstoring information and/or instructions.

Input device 440 may include a device that permits an operator to inputinformation to device 400, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a pen,a microphone, one or more biometric mechanisms, and the like. Outputdevice 450 may include a device that outputs information to theoperator, such as a display, a speaker, etc.

Communication interface 460 may include any transceiver-like mechanismthat enables device 400 to communicate with other devices and/orsystems. For example, communication interface 460 may include mechanismsfor communicating with other devices, such as other devices ofenvironment 100 and/or customer premises network 110.

As described herein, device 400 may perform certain operations inresponse to processing unit 420 executing software instructionscontained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory 430. Acomputer-readable medium may be defined as a non-transitory memorydevice. A memory device may include space within a single physicalmemory device or spread across multiple physical memory devices. Thesoftware instructions may be read into memory 430 from anothercomputer-readable medium or from another device via communicationinterface 460. The software instructions contained in memory 430 maycause processing unit 420 to perform processes described herein.Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement processes describedherein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to anyspecific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

Although FIG. 4 shows example components of device 400, in otherimplementations, device 400 may contain fewer components, differentcomponents, differently arranged components, or additional componentsthan depicted in FIG. 4. Alternatively, or additionally, one or morecomponents of device 400 may perform one or more other tasks describedas being performed by one or more other components of device 400.

FIGS. 5A-5D are diagrams of example operations 500 capable of beingperformed by outdoor broadband unit 200. In one example, FIG. 5A maydepict operations 500 performed by outdoor broadband unit 200 during aninstallation mode. Outdoor broadband unit 200 may be in the installationmode after an installer installs outdoor broadband unit 200 at thecustomer premises at a time (T_(o)). The installation mode may assistthe installer with placement of extension arm 350 during installation ofoutdoor broadband unit 200, and may last a configurable period time.During the installation mode, LTE module 320 may receive an indication510 that outdoor broadband unit 200 is in the installation mode, and LTEmodule 320 may scan beams of RF antenna 310 in response to indication510. For example, LTE module 320 may scan, at particular scanning timeintervals, RF signals 520 received by each beam of RF antenna 310. LTEmodule 320 may select a best or optimal beam of RF antenna 310 based onRF signals 520 received by the beams of RF antenna 310, as indicated byreference number 530. For example, LTE module 320 may select a beam ofRF antenna 310, which receives the strongest RF signals 520, as the bestor optimal beam of RF antenna 310. In one example implementation, LTEmodule 320 may utilize the selected beam of RF antenna 310 tocommunicate with base station 120 and/or network 130.

FIG. 5B may depict operations 500 performed by outdoor broadband unit200 during a power on/off mode. Outdoor broadband unit 200 may enter thepower on/off mode after outdoor broadband unit 200 is powered off andpowered on (i.e., power cycled). During the power on/off mode, LTEmodule 320 may receive an indication 540 that outdoor broadband unit 200is in the power on/off mode. Rather than scanning the beams of RFantenna 310, LTE module 320 may select a beam of RF antenna 310 that waslast used by outdoor broadband unit 200 before outdoor broadband unit200 was powered off, as indicated by reference number 550. In oneexample implementation, LTE module 320 may utilize the selected beam ofRF antenna 310 to communicate with base station 120 and/or network 130.By using a last used beam of RF antenna 310, LTE module 320 may foregothe time-consuming process of scanning all beams of RF antenna 310, asis performed in the installation mode (FIG. 5A).

FIG. 5C may depict operations 500 performed by outdoor broadband unit200 during a short term maintenance mode 560. Outdoor broadband unit 200may enter short term maintenance mode 560 after a short term maintenancemode time period (e.g., a number of hours). For example, outdoorbroadband unit 200 may enter short term maintenance mode 560 at a time(T₁) that is a particular number of hours after time (T_(o)) or afterthe power on/off mode. During short term maintenance mode 560, LTEmodule 320 may rescan the beams of RF antenna 310. For example, LTEmodule 320 may rescan, at particular scanning time intervals, RF signals520 received by each beam of RF antenna 310. LTE module 320 may select abest or optimal beam of RF antenna 310 based on RF signals 520 receivedby the beams of RF antenna 310, as indicated by reference number 570.For example, LTE module 320 may select a beam of RF antenna 310, whichreceives the strongest RF signals 520, as the best or optimal beam of RFantenna 310. LTE module 320 may utilize the selected beam of RF antenna310 to communicate with base station 120 and/or network 130. In oneexample implementation, outdoor broadband unit 200 may behavedifferently in short term maintenance mode 560 depending on whetheroutdoor broadband unit 200 is in an active state (i.e., activelycommunicating with LTE network 130) or an idle state (i.e., not activelycommunicating with LTE network 130). For example, when outdoor broadbandunit 200 is in the active state, LTE module 320 may select a best oroptimal beam of RF antenna 310 for a current serving cell (e.g., basestation 120). When outdoor broadband unit 200 is in the idle state, LTEmodule 320 may select a best or optimal beam of RF antenna 310 as wellas an optimal serving cell, which may be different than the currentserving cell.

FIG. 5D may depict operations 500 performed by outdoor broadband unit200 during a long term maintenance mode 580. Outdoor broadband unit 200may enter long term maintenance mode 580 after a long term maintenancemode time period (e.g., a number of days). For example, outdoorbroadband unit 200 may enter long term maintenance mode 580 at a time(T₂) that is a particular number of days after time (T₁) and/or time(T₀). During long term maintenance mode 580, LTE module 320 may rescanthe beams of RF antenna 310. For example, LTE module 320 may rescan, atparticular scanning time intervals, RF signals 520 received by each beamof RF antenna 310. LTE module 320 may select a best or optimal beam ofRF antenna 310 based on RF signals 520 received by the beams of RFantenna 310, as indicated by reference number 590. For example, LTEmodule 320 may select a beam of RF antenna 310, which receives thestrongest RF signals 520, as the best or optimal beam of RF antenna 310.In one example implementation, LTE module 320 may utilize the selectedbeam of RF antenna 310 to communicate with base station 120 and/ornetwork 130. In contrast to short term maintenance mode 560, thescanning performed in long term maintenance mode 580 may use differentscanning parameters, such as different scanning time intervals. In oneexample implementation, during long term maintenance mode 580, LTEmodule 320 may also search for a new optimal serving cell in addition tothe current serving cell. Long term maintenance mode 580 may result inoutdoor broadband unit 200 ceasing communications with LTE network 130.Thus, long term maintenance mode 580 may be scheduled to be performedduring a time when outdoor broadband unit 200 may not be used (e.g., inthe early morning hours).

In one example implementation, LTE module 320 may perform the scanningof the beams of RF antenna 310 at particular time intervals that dependon a mode associated with outdoor broadband unit 200. The particularscanning time intervals may depend on a measurement confidence level andthe installation time associated with outdoor broadband unit 200. Forexample, if the particular scanning time intervals are less than onesecond, a signal quality measurement time (e.g., of RF signals 520) maybe less than twenty time slots intervals, and the measurement of beamsof RF antenna 310 may have a lower confidence level. In another example,if the particular scanning time intervals are longer than two minutes,the scanning performed during the installation mode may require morethan five minutes to complete. In another example implementation, duringthe power on/off mode, the determination of the last used antenna beammay take less than ten seconds.

In still another example implementation, during the short termmaintenance mode, the particular scanning time interval, for eachantenna beam, may be short (e.g., less than eight milliseconds) in orderto achieve the best antenna connection without any service interruption.This procedure may be repeated until all configurable antenna beams arescanned. A period of time between each antenna beam scan may be greaterthan one-hundred milliseconds. The short term maintenance mode may occurafter a short term maintenance mode time period, such as a number ofhours (e.g., two hours). The short term maintenance mode time period maybe configured by a user or an installer of outdoor broadband unit 200.

In a further example implementation, during the long term maintenancemode, LTE module 320 may scan every beam of RF antenna 310 in less thanten seconds. However, a search for a new serving cell identifier onevery beam of RF antenna 310 may require more time. The long termmaintenance mode may be repeated after a long term maintenance mode timeperiod, such as a number of days (e.g., seven days). The long termmaintenance mode scanning time period may be configured by a user or aninstaller of outdoor broadband unit 200.

Although FIGS. 5A-5D show example operations 500 capable of beingperformed by outdoor broadband unit 200, in other implementations,outdoor broadband unit 200 may perform fewer operations, differentoperations, and/or additional operations than depicted and described inconnection with FIGS. 5A-5D.

In one implementation, outdoor broadband unit 200 may not include aninternal real-time clock. In order for the modes of outdoor broadbandunit 200 to properly function, outdoor broadband unit 200 may need to beprovided with a current time. Without an internal clock, outdoorbroadband unit 200 may not be able to determine if a short termmaintenance mode time period has expired (e.g., which may indicate thatoutdoor broadband unit 200 needs to enter the short term maintenancemode). Moreover, without an internal clock, outdoor broadband unit 200may not be able to determine if a long term maintenance mode time periodhas expired (e.g., which may indicate that outdoor broadband unit 200needs to enter the long term maintenance mode) or may cause the longterm maintenance mode to be triggered (e.g., an result in an outage) atan inopportune time, such as during the middle of the day. There alsomay be no way for outdoor broadband unit 200 to alter the short termmaintenance mode time period and/or the long term maintenance mode timeperiod after outdoor broadband unit 200 is installed.

Furthermore, outdoor broadband unit 200 may not be able to distinguishbetween the power on/off mode and the installation mode since duringboth modes outdoor broadband unit 200 is powered on from a powered offstate. Thus, when outdoor broadband unit 200 is power cycled, outdoorbroadband unit 200 may mistakenly enter the installation mode, which, asdescribed above, may be a time consuming process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of example operations capable of being performed byan example portion 600 of environment 100. In one exampleimplementation, the operations described in connection with FIG. 6 mayaddress the issues described above in connection with FIGS. 5A-5D. Asshown in FIG. 6, environment portion 600 may include device manager 145,outdoor broadband unit 200, LTE module 320, and BHR 330. Device manager145, outdoor broadband unit 200, LTE module 320, and BHR 330 may includethe features described above in connection with one or more of, forexample, FIGS. 1-5D.

As further shown in FIG. 6, device manager 145 may provide a currenttime 610 to BHR 330. Current time 610 may include a date, hours,minutes, and seconds (e.g., Mar. 31, 2011, 9:30:32 AM) and may enable anetwork administrator, via device manager 145, to set a time in BHR 330.BHR 330 may provide current time 610 to LTE module 320 and LTE module320 may receive current time 610. With current time 610, LTE module 320may determine if a short term maintenance mode time period has expired(e.g., which may indicate that outdoor broadband unit 200 needs to enterthe short term maintenance mode), and may determine if a long termmaintenance mode time period has expired (e.g., which may indicate thatoutdoor broadband unit 200 needs to enter the long term maintenancemode).

The network administrator may also set, via device manager 145, a shortterm maintenance mode time period 620 and a long term maintenance modetime period 630. Short term maintenance mode time period 620 may includea time period (e.g., in a number of hours) after the installation modeor the power on/off mode. Long term maintenance mode time period 630 mayinclude a time period (e.g., a number of days, a time of day, a day ofthe week, etc.) after the installation mode or the power on/off mode.Device manager 145 may provide short term maintenance mode time period620 and long term maintenance mode time period 630 to BHR 330 and BHR330 may forward short term maintenance mode time period 620 and longterm maintenance mode time period 630 to LTE module 320.

In one example, short term maintenance mode time period 620, long termmaintenance mode time period 630, and/or other parameters (e.g.,scanning time intervals, RF signal thresholds, RF signal performancerequirements, etc.) associated with these modes may configured inoutdoor broadband unit 200 in other ways. For example, short termmaintenance mode time period 620 and long term maintenance mode timeperiod 630 may be set a factory during manufacture of outdoor broadbandunit 200, may be set at distribution center prior to installation ofoutdoor broadband unit 200, may be set during installation of outdoorbroadband unit 200, or may be set remotely after installation of outdoorbroadband unit 200, as described above. In another implementation, thenetwork administrator, via device manager 145, may set other parametersassociated with the installation mode, the power on/off mode, the shortterm maintenance mode, and/or the long term maintenance mode. In stillanother implementation, the network administrator, via device manager145, may enable or disable the short term maintenance mode and/or thelong term maintenance mode. The short term maintenance mode and/or thelong term maintenance mode may also be enabled or disabled based onother timing information provided to outdoor broadband unit 200, via GPSinformation associated with outdoor broadband unit 200, a remote timingmechanism, etc. This may provide flexibility to select an exact timewhen the short term maintenance mode and/or the long term maintenancemode is to be activated.

LTE module 320 may receive short term maintenance mode time period 620and long term maintenance mode time period 630, and may determine a modeassociated with outdoor broadband unit 200 based on current time 610,short term maintenance mode time period 620, and/or long termmaintenance mode time period 630. For example, if LTE module 320determines that outdoor broadband unit 200 is in the installation mode,LTE module 320 may perform the functions described above in connectionwith FIG. 5A. If LTE module 320 determines that outdoor broadband unit200 is in the power on/off mode, LTE module 320 may perform thefunctions described above in connection with FIG. 5B. If LTE module 320determines that outdoor broadband unit 200 is in the short termmaintenance mode, LTE module 320 may perform the functions describedabove in connection with FIG. 5C. If LTE module 320 determines thatoutdoor broadband unit 200 is in the long term maintenance mode, LTEmodule 320 may perform the functions described above in connection withFIG. 5D.

As further shown in FIG. 6, the network administrator may, via devicemanager 145, enable or disable the installation mode at outdoorbroadband unit 200, as indicated by reference number 640. Device manager145 may provide enable/disable installation mode indication 640 to BHR330, and BHR 330 may provide indication 640 to LTE module 320. In oneexample, device manager 145 may enable the installation mode byproviding installation mode indication 510 (FIG. 5A) to BHR 330 ofoutdoor broadband unit 200. BHR 330 may provide indication 510 to LTEmodule 320, and LTE module 320 may enable the installation mode based onindication 510. In another example, device manager 145 may disable theinstallation mode by providing power on/off mode indication 540 (FIG.5B) to BHR 330 of outdoor broadband unit 200. BHR 330 may provideindication 540 to LTE module 320, and LTE module 320 may disable theinstallation mode and enable the power on/off mode. Such an arrangementmay permit outdoor broadband unit 200 to distinguish between the poweron/off mode and the installation mode when outdoor broadband unit 200 ispower cycled.

Although FIG. 6 shows example components of environment portion 600, inother implementations, environment portion 600 may contain fewercomponents, different components, differently arranged components, oradditional components than depicted in FIG. 6. Alternatively, oradditionally, one or more components of environment portion 600 mayperform one or more other tasks described as being performed by one ormore other components of environment portion 600.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of example functional components of LTE module 320of outdoor broadband unit 200. As illustrated, LTE module 320 mayinclude a mode selector 700, an installation mode component 705, a poweron/off mode component 710, a short term maintenance mode component 715,a long term maintenance mode component 720, and an antenna beam selector725. In one example implementation, the functions described inconnection with FIG. 7 may be performed by one or more of the examplecomponents of device 400 (FIG. 4).

Mode selector 700 may receive installation mode indication 510, poweron/off mode indication 540, and/or current time 610 from BHR 330 (notshown). Mode selector 700 may select a mode for LTE module 320 based oninstallation mode indication 510, power on/off mode indication 540,and/or current time 610. For example, mode selector 700 may select aninstallation mode 730 when installation mode indication 510 is receivedfrom BHR 330. Mode selector 700 may select a power on/off mode 735 whenpower on/off mode indication 540 is received from BHR 330. Mode selector700 may select a short term maintenance mode 740 when current time 610indicates that short term maintenance mode time period 620 is about toexpire. Mode selector 700 may select a long term maintenance mode 745when current time 610 indicates that long term maintenance mode timeperiod 630 is about to expire. Based on the selected mode, LTE module320 may implement one of components 705-720.

Installation mode component 705 may be activated when installation mode730 is selected by mode selector 700, and may receive enable/disableinstallation mode indication 640 from BHR 330. Installation modecomponent 705 may generate a command 750 instructing antenna beamselector 725 to scan beams of RF antenna 310 when indication 640indicates that the installation mode is enabled. For example, command750 may instruct antenna beam selector 725 to scan, at particularscanning time intervals, RF signals received by each beam of RF antenna310.

Power on/off mode component 710 may be activated when power on/off mode735 is selected by mode selector 700. Rather than instructing antennabeam selector 725 to scan the beams of RF antenna 310, power on/off modecomponent 710 may generate a command 755 instructing LTE module 320 toselect a beam of RF antenna 310 that was last used by outdoor broadbandunit 200 before outdoor broadband unit 200 was powered off.

Short term maintenance mode component 715 may be activated when shortterm maintenance mode 740 is selected by mode selector 700, and mayreceive short term maintenance mode time period 620 from BHR 330. Whenshort term maintenance mode time period 620 expires (e.g., at time 1(T₁) of FIG. 5C), short term maintenance mode component 715 may generatea command 760 instructing antenna beam selector 725 to rescan beams ofRF antenna 310. For example, command 760 may instruct antenna beamselector 725 to rescan, at particular scanning time intervals, RFsignals received by each beam of RF antenna 310.

Long term maintenance mode component 720 may be activated when long termmaintenance mode 745 is selected by mode selector 700, and may receivelong term maintenance mode time period 630 from BHR 330. When long termmaintenance mode time period 630 expires (e.g., at time 2 (T₂) of FIG.5D), long term maintenance mode component 720 may generate a command 765instructing antenna beam selector 725 to rescan beams of RF antenna 310.For example, command 765 may instruct antenna beam selector 725 torescan, at particular scanning time intervals, RF signals received byeach beam of RF antenna 310.

When antenna beam selector 725 receives command 750 from installationmode component 705, antenna beam selector 725 may scan 770 beams (e.g.,beams 1-8) of RF antenna 310. For example, antenna beam selector 725 mayscan, at particular scanning time intervals, RF signals received by eachbeam of RF antenna 310. Antenna beam selector 725 may select a best oroptimal beam of RF antenna 310 based on RF signals received by the beamsof RF antenna 310, as indicated by reference number 775. For example,antenna beam selector 725 may select a beam of RF antenna 310, whichreceives the strongest RF signals, as the best or optimal beam of RFantenna 310. In one example implementation, LTE module 320 may utilizethe selected beam of RF antenna 310 to communicate with base station 120and/or network 130.

When antenna beam selector 725 receives command 760 from short termmaintenance mode component 715, antenna beam selector 725 rescan 770 thebeams of RF antenna 310. For example, antenna beam selector 725 mayrescan, at particular scanning time intervals, RF signals received byeach beam of RF antenna 310. Antenna beam selector 725 may select a bestor optimal beam of RF antenna 310 based on RF signals received by thebeams of RF antenna 310, as indicated by reference number 780. Forexample, antenna beam selector 725 may select a beam of RF antenna 310,which receives the strongest RF signals, as the best or optimal beam ofRF antenna 310. In one example implementation, LTE module 320 mayutilize the selected beam of RF antenna 310 to communicate with basestation 120 and/or network 130.

When antenna beam selector 725 receives command 765 from long termmaintenance mode component 720, antenna beam selector 725 rescan 770 thebeams of RF antenna 310. For example, antenna beam selector 725 mayrescan, at particular scanning time intervals, RF signals received byeach beam of RF antenna 310. Antenna beam selector 725 may select a bestor optimal beam of RF antenna 310 based on RF signals received by thebeams of RF antenna 310, as indicated by reference number 785. Forexample, antenna beam selector 725 may select a beam of RF antenna 310,which receives the strongest RF signals, as the best or optimal beam ofRF antenna 310. In one example implementation, LTE module 320 mayutilize the selected beam of RF antenna 310 to communicate with basestation 120 and/or network 130.

Although FIG. 7 shows example functional components of LTE module 320,in other implementations, LTE module 320 may contain fewer functionalcomponents, different functional components, differently arrangedfunctional components, or additional functional components than depictedin FIG. 7. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more functionalcomponents of LTE module 320 may perform one or more other tasksdescribed as being performed by one or more other functional componentsof LTE module 320.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example process 800 for scanning andselecting an antenna beam provided in a fixed wireless CPE according toan implementation described herein. In one implementation, process 800may be performed by LTE module 320 of outdoor broadband unit 200. Inanother implementation, some or all of process 800 may be performed byanother device or group of devices, including or excluding LTE module320.

As shown in FIG. 8, process 800 may include receiving a current timefrom a remote network device (block 805), receiving a short termmaintenance mode time period from the network device (block 810), andreceiving a long term maintenance mode time period from the networkdevice (block 815). For example, in implementations described above inconnection with FIG. 6, device manager 145 may provide current time 610to BHR 330. Current time 610 may include a date, hours, minutes, andseconds (e.g., Mar. 31, 2011, 9:30:32 AM) and may enable a networkadministrator, via device manager 145, to set a time in BHR 330. BHR 330may provide current time 610 to LTE module 320 and LTE module 320 mayreceive current time 610. The network administrator may also set, viadevice manager 145, short term maintenance mode time period 620 and longterm maintenance mode time period 630. Device manager 145 may provideshort term maintenance mode time period 620 and long term maintenancemode time period 630 to BHR 330 and BHR 330 may forward short termmaintenance mode time period 620 and long term maintenance mode timeperiod 630 to LTE module 320.

As further shown in FIG. 8, process 800 may include determining a modeassociated with antenna beam selection based on the current time, theshort term maintenance mode time period, and/or the long termmaintenance mode time period (block 820). If the determined mode is aninstallation mode (block 820—INSTALLATION MODE), process 800 may includescanning antenna beams after installation (block 825) and selecting abest antenna beam based on the scan (block 830). For example, inimplementations described above in connection with FIGS. 5A and 6, LTEmodule 320 may receive short term maintenance mode time period 620 andlong term maintenance mode time period 630, and may determine a modeassociated with outdoor broadband unit 200 based on current time 610.For example, if LTE module 320 determines that outdoor broadband unit200 is in the installation mode, LTE module 320 may scan beams of RFantenna 310. LTE module 320 may select a best or optimal beam of RFantenna 310 based on RF signals 520 received by the beams of RF antenna310, as indicated by reference number 530. In one example, LTE module320 may select a beam of RF antenna 310, which receives the strongest RFsignals 520, as the best or optimal beam of RF antenna 310.

Returning to FIG. 8, if the determined mode is a power on/off mode(block 820—POWER ON/OFF MODE), process 800 may include selecting a lastused antenna beam before a power off (block 835). For example, inimplementations described above in connection with FIGS. 5B and 6, ifLTE module 320 determines that outdoor broadband unit 200 is in thepower on/off mode, rather than scanning the beams of RF antenna 310, LTEmodule 320 may select a beam of RF antenna 310 that was last used byoutdoor broadband unit 200 before outdoor broadband unit 200 was poweredoff, as indicated by reference number 550.

As further shown in FIG. 8, if the determined mode is a short termmaintenance mode (block 820—SHORT TERM MAINT. MODE), process 800 mayinclude rescanning the antenna beams after a short term maintenance modetime period (block 840) and selecting a best antenna beam and/or servingcell based on the rescan (block 845). For example, in implementationsdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 5C and 6, if LTE module 320determines that outdoor broadband unit 200 is in the short termmaintenance mode, LTE module 320 may enter short term maintenance mode560 after a short term maintenance mode time period (e.g., a number ofhours). During short term maintenance mode 560, LTE module 320 mayrescan the beams of RF antenna 310. In one example, LTE module 320 mayrescan, at particular scanning time intervals, RF signals 520 receivedby each beam of RF antenna 310. LTE module 320 may select a best oroptimal beam of RF antenna 310 based on RF signals 520 received by thebeams of RF antenna 310, as indicated by reference number 570. Inanother example, when outdoor broadband unit 200 is in the active state,LTE module 320 may select a best or optimal beam of RF antenna 310 for acurrent serving cell (e.g., base station 120). When outdoor broadbandunit 200 is in the idle state, LTE module 320 may select a best oroptimal beam of RF antenna 310 as well as an optimal serving cell, whichmay be different than the current serving cell.

Returning to FIG. 8, if the determined mode is a long term maintenancemode (block 820—LONG TERM MAINT. MODE), process 800 may includerescanning the antenna beams after a long term maintenance mode timeperiod (block 850) and selecting a best antenna beam and/or serving cellbased on the rescan (block 855). For example, in implementationsdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 5D and 6, if LTE module 320determines that outdoor broadband unit 200 is in the long termmaintenance mode, LTE module 320 may enter long term maintenance mode580 after a long term maintenance mode time period (e.g., a number ofdays). During long term maintenance mode 580, LTE module 320 may rescanthe beams of RF antenna 310. In one example, LTE module 320 may rescan,at particular scanning time intervals, RF signals 520 received by eachbeam of RF antenna 310. LTE module 320 may select a best or optimal beamof RF antenna 310 based on RF signals 520 received by the beams of RFantenna 310, as indicated by reference number 590. In another example,during long term maintenance mode 580, LTE module 320 may also searchfor a new optimal serving cell in addition to the current serving cell.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an example process 900 for providingconfiguration parameters to a fixed wireless CPE to enable antenna beamscanning and selecting according to an implementation described herein.In one implementation, process 900 may be performed by device manager145. In another implementation, some or all of process 900 may beperformed by another device or group of devices, including or excludingdevice manager 145.

As shown in FIG. 9, process 900 may include providing a current time toa remote outdoor broadband unit (block 910), and providing a short termmaintenance mode time period to the outdoor broadband unit (block 920).For example, in implementations described above in connection with FIG.6, device manager 145 may provide current time 610 to BHR 330. Currenttime 610 may include a date, hours, minutes, and seconds (e.g., Mar. 31,2011, 9:30:32 AM) and may enable a network administrator, via devicemanager 145, to set a time in BHR 330. BHR 330 may provide current time610 to LTE module 320 and LTE module 320 may receive current time 610.The network administrator may also set, via device manager 145, shortterm maintenance mode time period 620 that includes a time period (e.g.,in a number of hours) after the installation mode or the power on/offmode. Device manager 145 may provide short term maintenance mode timeperiod 620 to BHR 330 and BHR 330 may forward short term maintenancemode time period 620 to LTE module 320.

As further shown in FIG. 9, process 900 may include providing a longterm maintenance mode time period to the outdoor broadband unit, wherethe outdoor broadband unit selects a best antenna beam based on thecurrent time, the short term maintenance mode time period, and/or thelong term maintenance mode time period (block 930). For example, inimplementations described above in connection with FIG. 6, the networkadministrator may set, via device manager 145, long term maintenancemode time period 630. Long term maintenance mode time period 630 mayinclude a time period (e.g., in a number of days) after the installationmode or the power on/off mode. Device manager 145 may provide long termmaintenance mode time period 630 to BHR 330 and BHR 330 may forward longterm maintenance mode time period 630 to LTE module 320. LTE module 320may receive long term maintenance mode time period 630, and may select abest antenna beam from RF antenna 310 based on current time 610, shortterm maintenance mode time period 620, and/or long term maintenance modetime period 630, and based on the antenna scanning performed during theselected short term or long term maintenance mode.

Returning to FIG. 9, process 900 may include instructing the outdoorbroadband unit to enable or disable the installation mode of the outdoorbroadband unit (block 940). For example, in implementations describedabove in connection with FIG. 6, the network administrator may, viadevice manager 145, enable or disable the installation mode at outdoorbroadband unit 200, as indicated by reference number 640. Device manager145 may provide enable/disable installation mode indication 640 to BHR330, and BHR 330 may provide indication 640 to LTE module 320. In oneexample, device manager 145 may enable the installation mode byproviding installation mode indication 510 to outdoor broadband unit200, and LTE module 320 may enable the installation mode based onindication 510. In another example, device manager 145 may disable theinstallation mode by providing power on/off mode indication 540 tooutdoor broadband unit 200, and LTE module 320 may disable theinstallation mode and enable the power on/off mode. In still anotherexample, the installation mode may terminate after a fixed number ofshort term maintenance mode time periods have elapsed.

Systems and/or methods described herein may provide configurationparameters that enable antenna beam scanning and selecting, to a CPEwireless architecture that includes combined gateway equipment. Thecombined gateway equipment may include satellite and RF antennas thatare installed at a customer premises. The RF antenna may be provided inan outdoor broadband unit that includes a LTE module capable ofcommunicating with a wireless network. The outdoor broadband unit mayalso include a BHR capable of communicating with a customer premisesnetwork.

The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration anddescription, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variationsare possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired frompractice of the invention.

For example, while series of blocks have been described with regard toFIGS. 8 and 9, the order of the blocks may be modified in otherimplementations. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed inparallel.

It will be apparent that example aspects, as described above, may beimplemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardwarein the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual softwarecode or specialized control hardware used to implement these aspectsshould not be construed as limiting. Thus, the operation and behavior ofthe aspects were described without reference to the specific softwarecode—it being understood that software and control hardware could bedesigned to implement the aspects based on the description herein.

The term “component,” as used herein, is intended to be broadlyconstrued to include hardware (e.g., a processor, a microprocessor, anASIC, a FPGA, a chip, a memory device (e.g., a ROM, a RAM, etc.), etc.)or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a processor,microprocessor, ASIC, etc. executing software contained in a memorydevice).

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many ofthese features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependentclaim listed below may directly depend on only one other claim, thedisclosure of the invention includes each dependent claim in combinationwith every other claim in the claim set.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitlydescribed as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended toinclude one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term“one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” isintended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly statedotherwise.

1. A method implemented by an outdoor broadband unit, the methodcomprising: receiving, by the outdoor broadband unit, a current timefrom a remote network device; receiving, by the outdoor broadband unit,a short term maintenance mode time period from the network device;receiving, by the outdoor broadband unit, a long term maintenance modetime period from the network device; determining, by the outdoorbroadband unit, a mode associated with selection of an antenna beam,provided on an antenna of the outdoor broadband unit, based on at leastone of the current time, the short term maintenance mode time period,and the long term maintenance mode time period; and selecting, by theoutdoor broadband unit, an antenna beam to use based on the determinedmode.
 2. The method of claim 1, where, when the determined mode is aninstallation mode, the method further comprises: scanning antenna beamsof the antenna after installation of the outdoor broadband unit; andselecting an optimal antenna beam to use based on the scanning.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, where, when the determined mode is a power on/offmode, the method further comprises: selecting a last used antenna beam,before the outdoor broadband unit was powered off, as the antenna beamto use.
 4. The method of claim 1, where, when the determined mode is ashort term maintenance mode, the method further comprises: rescanning,based on a scanning interval corresponding to the short term maintenancemode, antenna beams of the antenna after the short term maintenance modetime period expires; and selecting an optimal antenna beam and anoptimal serving cell to use based on the rescanning.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, where, when the determined mode is a long term maintenancemode, the method further comprises: rescanning, based on a scanninginterval corresponding to the long term maintenance mode, antenna beamsof the antenna after the long term maintenance mode time period expires;and selecting an optimal antenna beam and an optimal serving cell to usebased on the rescanning.
 6. The method of claim 1, where the short termmaintenance mode time period is a predetermined number of hours and thelong term maintenance mode time period is a predetermined number ofdays.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from thenetwork device, other parameters associated with the determined mode. 8.An outdoor broadband unit, comprising: an antenna that includes antennabeams; and a processor to: receive a current time from a remote networkdevice, receive a short term maintenance mode time period from thenetwork device, receive a long term maintenance mode time period fromthe network device, determine a mode associated with selection of anantenna beam based on at least one of the current time, the short termmaintenance mode time period, and the long term maintenance mode timeperiod, where the determined mode includes one of an installation mode,a power on/off mode, a short term maintenance mode, or a long termmaintenance mode, and select one of the antenna beams to use based onthe determined mode.
 9. The outdoor broadband unit of claim 8, where,when the determined mode is the installation mode, the processor isfurther to: scan the antenna beams of the antenna after installation ofthe outdoor broadband unit, and select an optimal antenna beam to usebased on the scanning.
 10. The outdoor broadband unit of claim 8, where,when the determined mode is the power on/off mode, the processor isfurther to: select a last used antenna beam, before the outdoorbroadband unit was powered off, as the antenna beam to use.
 11. Theoutdoor broadband unit of claim 8, where, when the determined mode isthe short term maintenance mode, the processor is further to: rescan theantenna beams of the antenna after the short term maintenance mode timeperiod expires, and select an optimal antenna beam to use based on therescanning.
 12. The outdoor broadband unit of claim 8, where, when thedetermined mode is the long term maintenance mode, the processor isfurther to: rescan the antenna beams of the antenna after the long termmaintenance mode time period expires, and select an optimal antenna beamto use based on the rescanning.
 13. The outdoor broadband unit of claim8, where the short term maintenance mode time period is a predeterminednumber of hours and the long term maintenance mode time period is apredetermined number of days.
 14. The outdoor broadband unit of claim 8,where: the short term maintenance mode time period replaces a previouslyconfigured short term maintenance mode time period, and the long termmaintenance mode time period replaces a previously configured long termmaintenance mode time period.
 15. A method implemented by computingdevice, the method comprising: providing, by the computing device, acurrent time to a remote outdoor broadband unit; providing, by thecomputing device, a short term maintenance mode time period to theoutdoor broadband unit; providing, by the computing device, a long termmaintenance mode time period to the outdoor broadband unit, where theoutdoor broadband unit selects an optimal antenna beam based on at leastone of the current time, the short term maintenance mode time period,and the long term maintenance mode time period; and instructing, by thecomputing device, the outdoor broadband unit to enable or disable aninstallation mode of the outdoor broadband unit.
 16. The method of claim15, where the short term maintenance mode time period is a predeterminednumber of hours.
 17. The method of claim 15, where the long termmaintenance mode time period is a predetermined number of days.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, where the outdoor broadband unit determines a modeassociated with antenna beam selection based on at least one of thecurrent time, the short term maintenance mode time period, and the longterm maintenance mode time period.
 19. The method of claim 18, where theoutdoor broadband unit selects the optimal antenna beam based on thedetermined mode.
 20. A device comprising: a memory to store a pluralityof instructions; and a processor to execute instructions in the memoryto: providing a current time to a remote outdoor broadband unit, providea short term maintenance mode time period to the outdoor broadband unit,provide a long term maintenance mode time period to the outdoorbroadband unit, where the outdoor broadband unit selects an optimalantenna beam based on at least one of the current time, the short termmaintenance mode time period, and the long term maintenance mode timeperiod, and instruct the outdoor broadband unit to enable or disable aninstallation mode of the outdoor broadband unit.
 21. The device of claim20, where the processor is further to: instruct the outdoor broadbandunit to enable or disable a short term maintenance mode of the outdoorbroadband unit.
 22. The device of claim 20, where the processor isfurther to: instruct the outdoor broadband unit to enable or disable along term maintenance mode of the outdoor broadband unit.